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T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert anticipates the Starlink Cellular beta, also known as Starlink Direct-to-Cell, could launch between late 2024 and early 2025. The initial beta will offer text services, with voice, data, and IoT capabilities expected to roll out by 2025.
Starlink Cellular Beta Expected by Late 2024, Offering Text Services Before Expanding to Voice and Data
According to a report published by Teslarati, Mike Sievert, the CEO of T-Mobile, recently predicted that the beta version of Starlink Cellular (also known as Starlink Direct-to-Cell) could be launched between late 2024 and early 2025.
“We think we’re on track for a beta program of the direct-satellite-to-cellular program that we announced a while back—it could start this year or early into next year,” Sievert told Jim Cramer.
SpaceX's Starlink Directo-to-Cell website states that text services will be accessible beginning in 2024. It anticipates that Voice, Data, and IoT will be accessible by 2025.
Before Sievert's interview with Cramer, Starlink Cellular was anticipated to launch in the autumn of 2024 in partnership with T-Mobile. Elon Musk has disclosed that Starlink Cellular will be exclusively available to T-Mobile during its initial year of operation. SpaceX will evaluate the feasibility of collaborating with other networks in the United States as Starlink Direct-to-Cell advances. Additionally, it intends to cooperate with at least one network in various countries.
SpaceX Faces Key Challenges: FCC Approval and Satellite Count for Starlink Cellular Beta Launch
SpaceX must still surmount a few obstacles before it can contemplate expansion. According to Seivert, SpaceX has 192 cellular satellites in Earth's orbit. According to reports, approximately 300 cellular satellites are required for Starlink Direct-to-Cell to provide services in the United States. Only time will determine whether SpaceX can achieve its desired number of cellular satellites by the end of the year to launch Starlink Direct-to-Cell.
Furthermore, SpaceX must obtain approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) before providing Starlink Cellular to customers in the United States. The aerospace company is also anticipating the FCC's approval of its request to operate Starlink Cellular above the standard radio frequency limit to enhance real-time video and voice communications.
The beta launch of Starlink Direct-to-Cell may not be delayed by its request. Upon receiving approval from the FCC, SpaceX may implement text capabilities in the Starlink Cellular beta. Subsequently, it may be determined that additional capabilities should be implemented gradually.
